[12/14/11 - 08:30 AM]The Weather Channel Orders Two More Seasons of "Coast Guard Alaska"The second season will feature five 60-minute episodes and will premiere in April; the third season will feature eight 60-minute episodes and will premiere in October.

[via press release from The Weather Channel]

The Weather Channel Orders Two More Seasons of "Coast Guard Alaska"

Viewers Making the Series Appointment TV

ATLANTA (Dec. 14, 2011) - The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) announced today it has ordered two additional seasons of its hit series "Coast Guard Alaska," which follows a team of Coast Guard swimmers and rescue pilots stationed in Kodiak, AK, as they train and implement strategies to save lives while battling harsh, icy weather conditions. Produced by Al Roker Entertainment, the second season will feature five 60-minute episodes and will premiere in April 2012; the third season will feature eight 60-minute episodes and will premiere in October 2012. Season 1 has two remaining episodes to premiere Wednesday, Jan. 11, and Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 9 p.m. ET, and several replays of each Season 1 episode continue to air.

Set against the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska's majestic peaks and rolling mountains, along with the harsh oceans and treacherous terrain, "Coast Guard Alaska" shows us life for the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak as they balance duty and family, and how each one deals with the pressures associated with the job. From intense training to perilous rescue missions in icy waters, the show reveals the discipline, teamwork and camaraderie associated with the job. The series also explores what life is like off-duty on the base in a world so dependent on weather conditions, following the group as they enjoy nature's best offerings, from fishing trips on beautiful rivers to bear watching or barbecues with friends, family and colleagues. Seasons 2 and 3 will extend the geographic range of missions beyond Kodiak as their cases allow.

The debut season of "Coast Guard Alaska" has been a proven success for The Weather Channel, garnering ratings increases and great viewer response. To date, "Coast Guard Alaska" has shown a 95 percent increase from one-year-ago time period averages among A25-54, and viewership has steadily increased (91%) since the premiere episode (Nielsen/MultiTrak). "Coast Guard Alaska" has also seen social media success as the No. 5 trending TV show on GetGlue during the premiere episode.

"It's clear to us that viewers are making 'Coast Guard Alaska' appointment viewing," said Bob Walker, executive vice president and general manager of networks and content, The Weather Channel. "Audiences have really responded to this inside look at life in Kodiak for these real-life heroes who risk their lives daily to save others. We feel privileged to offer viewers more opportunities to get to know these incredible men and women."

Said Al Roker, president and CEO of Al Roker Entertainment, "I have always been fascinated by the Coast Guard and their incredible stories. It's gratifying and encouraging to see that so many other people are as interested as I am, and it's an honor to tell their stories."

"Coast Guard Alaska" is part of a growing stable of original content from The Weather Channel, which includes other recent additions, "Twist of Fate" and "Storm Riders," as well as upcoming series "Lifeguard!," premiering in March 2012. For more information, visit www.weather.com/coastguardalaska or check out the show on Facebook.

About The Weather Channel Companies

The Weather Channel companies (TWCC) are made up of The Weather Channel(R) television network, The Weather Channel digital properties, and WSI. The Weather Channel is based in Atlanta and is seen in more than 100 million U.S. households. TWCC also operates Weatherscan(R), a 24-hour all-local weather network; The Weather Channel Radio Network; and The Weather Channel HD. The most popular source of weather news and information, TWCC properties reach 60 million monthly Web consumers (weather.com and Desktop) and 32 million monthly mobile users (mobile Web and applications) and offers the second most popular mobile app on all smartphones. WSI, headquartered in Andover, MA, primarily provides business-to-business weather services, particularly for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. TWCC is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visit www.weather.com/press.